Index file



Aug. 18, 1931- LE ROI E. HUTCHINGS INDEX FILE Filed Feb. 3, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 1' A g- 3 LE ROI E. HUTCHINGS INDEX FILE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 5, 1950 Patented Aug. 18, 1931 NI ED STATESPATENT seems LE ROI E. HUTQHINGS, OF TONAWANDA, NEW? YORK, ASSIGNGR TO REMINGTGN BAND 7 INC OF BUFFALO, NEWRF YORK INDEX FILE Application filed February 3, 1930. Serial-Ne. 425,524.

This invention relates to new improvements in index files and particularly to a file having a series of index panels for removably receiving index strips on opposite sides there of carrying the index information, which are adapted for slidable movement out of a suit able container for displaying the index strips carried on any panel.

.An object of the invention resides in providing: an index file having a container dex strips on either side of the panel, the

casing being so constructed that the panels are prevented from detachment from the casing when withdrawn through the open upper end thereof.

Another object of the invention resides in providing an index file having a casing open at the upper end and a plurality of index panels loosely and slidably mounted in the casing for withdrawal through the open upper end, the index panels being separated by a series of loose partitions, and a suitable means being provided on the casing for'preventing removal of the partitions therefrom and preventing complete detachment of the 1 panels from the casing when withdrawn through said upper end.

Another object of the invention is to provide an index file construction having a cas ing for containing a plurality of index holdthe open upper end thereof but prevented from complete detachment from the casing when withdrawn from said upper end, in which the bottom of the casing is slidably re 6 I movable therefrom to permit access to the casing for removal of any panel orpartition or for the insertion of new panels or partitions.

A still further object of the invention resides in providing an index file construction ers adapted for sliding withdrawal through in which the panels areprovided with tail pieces .hingedly connected thereto formed to provide spaces so as to hold-adjacent partitions in separated relation'in order that, the panels may readily slide into and: out of the, casing, andin which the casing is provided with suitable compressing} members at opposite ends thereof to hold the panels, and partitions in adjacent and compact relation.

Other features of the invention residing in,- the specific details of construction and, t relation of parts are more particularly pointed out in the following detailed description. I

In the drawings forming part of this ap- 55 plication: i

Fig. 1 shows the index unit and supporting desk top in perspective. L f

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectionthroughthe index unit. 7 :10

Fig. 8 is a side view in elevation ofthe index unit with parts broken away.

Fig. 4c is a vertical sectional 'vi w one of the panels. i

Fig. .5 is a horizontal transverse sectiorafls through a panel.

' Fig. 6 is a horizontal sectional view through the container with the bottom and the panels and partitions removed. 4 I

Fig. 7 is a'view in perspective of a panel; 50 showing the tail piece structure and with upper portions broken away. I

The casing 1 has end walls 2 and 3 and side walls 4 and-5 which are preferably of sheetmetal construction. Return bends/6 (Fig. 2);;55

through are formed on the lower edges of thefside walls providing, guideways fors lidably receiving the inturned flanges 7 0n the side edges of the bottom 8 to slidably mount the bottom on the casing 1. At the upper edges; '90 of the side walls lateral flanges 9 extend inwardly and terminate in downwardly extending portions 10to form shoulders for preventing detachment, of the index panels from the casing as hereafter described. The end wall 2 situated at the front of the casing terminates at the upper end in an outwardly extending flange 11 provided with holes through which screws or rivets 12 extend for Securing the casing o the desk top. hole 13 1:1.

provided centrally and adjacent the bottom of the end wall 2 adapted to receive a screw 1 1 which retains a washer 15 in contact with the slidable bottom 8 and prevents the removal thereof. The vertical edges of the end walls are flanged inwardly at 16 and 17 (Fig. 6) and are attached by a suitable method, such as spot-welding, to the side walls 4 and 5. The'rear end wall terminates at its upper end in an outwardly extending flange 18.

A shim 19 is attached to the under side of this flange 18 and a screw 20 extends therethrough to secure the casing to a desk top so that when the unit is so attached a slight forward tilt is given the index which facilitates removal of the strip holders therefrom. The lower end of the side 3 is flanged inwardly at '21 to provide a receiving and retaining l edge for one end of the slidable bottom 8.

of sheet-metal, of such size as to fit within resilientcompr Plate 22 consisting the case and having one end 23 offset angularly from the main portion, is affixed at said offset end adjacent the bottom of the rear 7 end wall so that the main portion is spaced therefrom. A resilient plate member 2a is similarly attached adjacent the bottom of the front end wall. These members provide resilient means for preventing rigidity and tight packing of the strip holders in the cascylindrical form for reception of a hinge rod 29. At the upper end the plate is bent in angular relation to the main portion, and a revturn bend formed on the angular portion,

said return bend contacting at its extremity with'the rear of the lower parts of the .first bent portion, (Fig. 4). This angular return-bend portion is shaped as illustrated in Fig. 2 with a portion removed at 31. The projecting lip 32 is formed at the side of the plate opposite the tab 33. The tab member or label holder 33 formed by the return bent portion. has a portion removed to form the opening 34 which permits an index card, re-

ceived through the slit 35 between the two portions of the return bend, to be visible.

Thisis shown in Fig. 2, at 17.

Strip or card holding means comprising provided on both sides of the strip or card holding plate 25.. On one side of said plate .the guide members 36 and 37 are formed by oifset return bends adjacent the vertical edges of said plate 25. The guide members on the other side consist of channel or U-members ,shown in Fig. 5. The guide channel members may be pressed against the plate 25 at their a 38 and 39 connected adjacent the. edge as upper and lower extremities as shown in Fig. 4 at 40 or may be left open. The advantages accruing by pressing said members will be more fully understood from the description of the use of the index. A

A base portion or tail piece 41 is hingedly attached to the plate 25 by means of the hinge rod 29 loosely engaged by the portions 27 and 28 of the plate 25. Portions 42 of the tail piece extend beyond the plate portion on either side by an amount not exceeding the width of the oflset portion 9 whereby contact is made with said offset portion 9 and complete disen agement of the strip holder from the index le is prevented when theholder is withdrawn therefrom. Said base portion comprises a sheet-metal base or follower having a return-bend substantially elliptical in shape and contacting at the top at43 (Fig. 4:), said elliptical portion constituting the follower being thicker than the rest of the plate.

A lip portion 44 of the follower is shaped for engaging the hinge rod 29 so that the base 41 and plate 25 are hingedly attached. Since the follower is wider than the width of the aperture in the top and of less width than the width of the aperture in the bottom, the plate with hinged lower portion attached, is insorted from the bottom.

Separating plates or leaves 26 of sheet metal are of such size as to fit within the case. Said plates are as wide as the widest portion of the base ll and'of a. convenient height extending, in the preferred form,v to the angle adjacent the upper part of the holder. The function of said leaves 26is to provide free flat, smooth surfaces between which the plates 25 and the hinged lower portion may freely and unimpededly move. The leaves are wider than the width of the aperture in the top but are less in width than the aperture in the bottom and hence may be placed 'wlthin the case from the bottom and be retained therein when the bottom is'aflixed.

In the assemblage of the index the slidable bottom is removed and alternate units of strip holders and plates inserted through the bottom. Since the leaves 26 are wider than the width of the aperture in the top they will be retained within the case since they contact with the shoulders 9. The elliptical followers are wider than the width of the aperture in the top and will therefore arrest and retain the strip holders when said strip holders are pulled outwardly therefrom since Said followers will contact with the shoulders 9 and vibration and noise are minimized by the felt 45 under the shoulders 9. Any desired strip holder may be pulled out of the index unit as illustrated in Fig. 1. Since the strip holder is hinged freely to the lower portion the strip holder may beturned through 1803 of arc and therefore both the obverse and reverse side be read by an ohserver at a given point and both sides used for index information.

A plurality of small strips 4C6 may be inserted in the channel strip holders to indicate a varying series of relationships relative to a constant designation shown on a small strip 47 inserted in slot 35 and hence visible at 34. As an example the index unit might be used by a shipper of wholesale produce. The tab or label holder 33 would carry a card or strip in 3a showing a given destination while the strips 46 would carry'the freight rates on various lines of produce from the shipping point to the destination. To prevent said index strips from slipping from the channel guides said guides are pressed together at their extremities as illustrated at 40 (Fig. 4).

lVhat is claimed is:

1. An index unit comprising a rectangular casing having a removable bottom, said casing having an opening at the top of less width than the casing, a plurality of index strip holders within said casing, said holders having tail pieces hinged to the lower ends slidable in the casing and of greater length than the opening in the upper end of the casing, said holders being adapted for withdrawal through the opening at the upper end of the casing and prevented from detachment therefrom by said tail pieces, separating plates loosely arranged in the casing between adjacent strip holders and having a greater *idth than the width of the opening in the top of the casing, and flexible members attached within said casing adjacent the ends thereof adapted to retain said index holders and separating plates in close adjacent relation.

2. An index unit comprising a casing having removable bottom and having an open top, the sides being provided with inwardly projecting shoulders adjacent the top extending longitudinally thereof, a plurality of index strip holders having upper and lower portions hinged together, said upper portions being adapted for withdrawal through the upper end of said casing, said lower portions engaging said shoulders to prevent complete detachment of said holders from said casing, separating plates loosely placed between adjacent strip holders and extending upwardly to and being retained in the casing by said shoulders, and flexible members attached within said casing adjacent the ends thereof for retaining said holders and plates in adjacent relation.

3. An index unit comprising an index strip holder having upper and lower portions hinged together, said upper portion being provided with a label holder on the upper end and being provided with inwardly facing flanges on the side edges on both faces to form guideways for removably receiving the ends of index strips, said lower portion forming a spacing follower of greater width than the width of the upper portion, a casing having an open upper end, said strip holders being slidably mounted in said casing and adapted for withdrawal through said upper end, and

, means at the upper end of said casing for cooperation with said index holders to prevent complete detachment thereof from the casing.

l. An index comprising a casing having an open side, a plurality of index holders slidable into and out of said casing through said open side, separating plates in said casing between adjacent index holders, means for preventing complete detachment of said index holders from said casing when withdrawn through said open side and for retaining said plates, and compressors at opposite ends of said casing normally retaining said index holders and plates in adjacent relationf 5. An index comprising a casing having an open side, a plurality of index holders slidable into and out of said casing through said open side, separating plates in said casing between adjacent index holders, means for!" preventing complete detachment of said index holders from said casing when withdrawn through said open side and for retaining said plates, and a detachable wall section forming part of said casing for permitting removal of said index holders and separating plates.

6. An index comprising a casing having an open side and shoulders formed thereon adjacent said open side, a plurality of index holders therein, separating plates loosely retained by said shoulders in said casing between adjacent holders, tail pieces hingedly connected to said holders adapted for engagement with said shoulders to prevent complete detachment of said holders from said casing.

7 An index comprising a casing having an open side and shoulders formed thereon adj acent said open side, a plurality of holders therein, and separating plates loosely re tained by said shoulders in said casing between adjacent holders, said holders having hinged tuhular tail portions providing spac ing means for said separating plates.

8. The combination of an index casing having a removable bottom and having inwardly projecting shoulders adjacent the top extending longitudinally thereof, a plurality of index strip holders having top and bottom portions hinged together, said top portions being formed for withdrawal through the top of said casing, said bottom portions being formed for engagement with said shoulders to prevent complete detachment of said holders from the casing, and separating plates placed between adjacent strip holders and extending upwardly to and retained by said shoulders in the casing.

9. An index comprising an index strip holder having upper and lower portions hinged together, said upper portion being provided witha label holder projecting from the upper end of the same and also with channels on both faces at opposite sides, said lower portion being provided with a spacing follower of greater thickness than the thickness of the upper portion.

LE ROI E. HUTCHINGS. 

